Prof. Dr. Daria Pezzoli-Olgiati

The Institute of Missiology and Study of Religion is integrated into the transdisciplinary programm of study of religion, thus linking the Faculty of Protestant Theology with many other faculties. 

Transdisciplinary Programm of Study of Religion: Profile and Focal Areas of Research

The goals of Study of Religion are

• to communicate fundamental knowledge of the theory and methodology of religious studies
• to acquire broadly based fundamental knowledge of ideological traditions and movements
• to develop an individual historical and methodological focus
• to acquire expertise in analysis of ideologies and philosophies

The field of Study of Religion enables students to acquire expertise and skills which are of use in numerous areas of activity beyond their own discipline, and to contribute to the development of a pluralist society founded on mutual respect. Students gain practice in identifying, interpreting and elucidating forms of communication of religions, which may include texts, but also images, music, objects, physical techniques and so on. They learn to differentiate between religious and scientific interpretations and to recognize areas of "interference" between history of religion and history of science. Religions should be identified and described as empirically locatable actions, statements, facts etc. At the end of the course, students have acquired the skill to trace these empirical data back to their origins in cultural complexity and to describe religion as a factor of cultural dynamics. During the course, a range of viewpoints, positions and stances on a variety of themes are accessed and their interrelations mapped. Students thus acquire the ability to research, evaluate and structure knowledge and information, enabling them to make statements which are both specifically applicable and broadly based and to produce overall descriptions based on in-depth knowledge. They are thus able to categorize discourses, approaches, ideas and theories – ideal skills for a broad variety of professions.

Focal areas of research

• Theories of religion within the context of academic discourse
• Economics of religion 
• Aesthetics of religion
• Somatic modes of religion
• Religion and medicine
• Rhetoric of religion
• Religion and literature

Religious Studies Interfaculty Course Website